Pros: Classic muscle-car attitude; large size means a relatively spacious trunk and back seat; broad range of special appearance options
Cons: Too large to feel as agile as it looks; fuel economy in V8 models; so-so interior materials; low roofline and high door sills cause a closed-in feel
CG Says: For 2014, Dodge’s retro-styled ponycar sees yet another special option package, this time for V6-powered models. Called Super Sport Group, the package includes 20-inch chrome-finished wheels, sport suspension and brakes, a shorter rear-axle ratio for snappier acceleration, a quicker steering ratio, and a rear spoiler. Challenger is an interesting player in this segment. It’s too big and heavy to be truly agile, but this is still a more-than-capable performance machine. That size does pay dividends in the form of a surprisingly smooth ride and excellent passenger and cargo room. Admittedly, these might not be the first things buyers of these cars put on their wish lists, but this is a good choice if you want something fun that you can also take on a cross-country road trip. The SXT and R/T models provide the best value for the money as the top-line SRT8 is rather pricey.
